ST. JOSEPH PARISH November 28-29, 2020 Diocesan Principles for Opening •Parishes are permitted to offer Mass up to 25% of possible building occupancy (100 per Mass) •A distance of no less than 6 feet must be maintained between households, including at Communion •Names and contact information of those attending Mass must be kept on file in the parish office for 30 days •Please do no congregate before or after Mass •Parishioners are required to wear face masks •Use of hand sanitizer when entering the building is mandated •Pew missals, envelopes, song books, etc. will be removed said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not •Holy water fonts may be utilized know when the time will come...Watch, therefore; you do not know •The Sign of Peace is omitted when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come sud- •The collection baskets will be placed near each door denly and find you sleeping... I say to all: ‘Watch!’” of the sanctuary for parishioners to deposit their con- -Mark 13:33-37 tributions •There is to be no procession/presentation of gifts PARISH OFFICE HOURS •Congregational singing is prohibited Monday through Thursday •Parishioners are encouraged to receive Holy Com- 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM munion in a flattened hand Parish Office is closed on Fridays Phone: 509-466-4991 Address: 3720 E Colbert Rd, Colbert, WA Parish Council Members: Website: www.stjosephcolbert.org Leslie Kueffler, Chair 701-8396 Mike Kerschen 991-6633 Follow us on Facebook: Tim Kitt (303) 875-0704 https://www.facebook.com/www.stjosephcolbert.org/ Bob Pedersen 238-4083 Jean Smith 238-4316 PARISH STAFF EMAILS Steve Woodard 991-3620 Pastor: Rev Thomas Connolly [email protected] Deacon Joe Schroeder [email protected] Religious Education: Kathy Catron [email protected] Finance Council Members: Music Minister: Harry Lewis [email protected] Mike Kight, Chair 467-6356 Custodian: John Capuano Loretta Barrett 370-4341 Admin Staff: Jeannie Saccomanno [email protected] Lois Blanchette 939-7621 Lynne Larson 953-4405 Sheila Rahn 995-8236 Joyce Woodard 995-6078 Mass Schedule Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM Next Weekend’s Liturgy Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday: 8:30 AM December 5-6, 2020 Reconciliation Second Sunday of Wednesday: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Adoration Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 Every Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM 2 Peter 3:8-14 Benediction Mark 1:1-18 Every Wednesday: 5:00 PM

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all people.” St. Joseph Parish, Colbert

Reflecting on Sunday’s Readings First Sunday of Advent - November 28-29, 2020 Reflection: Befana, the Housewife, scrubbing her pane, saw three old sages ride down the lane, saw three grey travelers pass her door-Gaspar, , . “Where journey you, sirs?” she asked of them. Balthazar answered, “To , for we have news of a marvelous thing. Born in a manger is Christ the King.” “Give Him my welcome!” Then Gaspar smiled, “Come with us, mistress, to greet the Child.” “Oh, happily, happily would I fare, were my dusting through and I’d polished the stair.” Old Melchior leaned on his saddle horn, “Then send but a gift to the small Newborn.” “Oh, gladly, gladly I’d send Him one, were the hearthstone swept and my weaving done. As soon as ever I've baked my bread, I’ll fetch Him a pillow for His head, and a coverlet too,” Befana said. “When the rooms are aired and the linen dry, I’ll look at the Babe.” Three rode by. She worked for a day and a night and a day, then, gifts in her hands, took up her way. But she never found where the lay. And still she wanders at , houseless, whose house was all her pride. Whose heart was tardy, who gifts were late; wanders, and knocks at every gate. Crying, “Good people, the bells begin! Put off your toiling and let Love in.” * This week marks the beginning of Advent Season, followed by the Season. We, like Befana, are faced with equally daunting responsibilities and routines. Whether housewife or executive, laborer or retiree the demands made upon us by the many good things in life never diminish from distracting us from pursuing the best in life. Will we allow the demands to also cause us to put off recognizing his coming and postpone bringing him the gift of our- selves? Before we know it the gifts will be opened and relatives will be returning home, and the only lasting impression on our heart will be one of exhaustion and disappointment. Once again, we may be faced with the emptiness of heart that comes from realizing that another Advent/Christmas season has passed and we missed the opportunity to wor- ship, and celebrate the Christ child. Saint Bernard explains that there are three comings of Christ. The first is what we celebrate as Christmas, where he came in our flesh and in our weakness. In his final coming he will come in glory and majesty. “The intermediate coming is a hidden one; in it only the elect see the Lord within their own selves, and they are saved. In his first co- ning our Lord came in our flesh and in our weakness; in this middle coming he comes in spirit and in power; in the final coming he will be seen in glory and majesty.”** Saint Bernard reminds us of Jesus’ words, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.” What will we do with his coming to us? These coming Advent and Christmas Seasons can be different, filled with awe and reflection, and with joy, peace, and adoration bubbling up within us. Instead of being like Befana, when the Befanas of our world knock on our door looking for where the Christ Child lays, we can invite them in, to find Jesus in our heart and in our home. This week let’s determine that the birth of Christ the King will be celebrated this season and all year long in our heart and lives. *”The Ballad of Befana: An Legend” from Starlight: Beholding the Christmas Miracle All Year Long by John Shea. **The Liturgy of the Hours, Vol. I, page 169

Reflecting on Sunday’s Readings, Copyright 2020, Richard A. Cleveland Religious Education Nativity Fair Our Religious Education classes for children in Fr Tom has collected over 1,000 Nativity scenes from all Grades K-6 have begun. Classes meet from around the world during his lifetime of 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Registration forms are travel. These scenes will be on display for available in the gathering space, the parish of- everyone to see during the annual Nativity fice, and on the parish website. If you have Fair. Make the short trip to St Mary questions regarding this program please call Kathy Catron in Presentation Parish in Deer Park to admire the parish office: 466-4991.

the collection. What a perfect way to start NOTE: The children will be having their annual Safe Envi- the season of Advent! ronment Training on Sunday, December 6th during their regular class time. If you do not want your child(ren) to Saturdays: Nov 28, Dec 5, Dec 12 10 AM to 8 PM participate please sign and return the Parental Denial of Sundays: Nov 29, Dec 6, Dec 13 9 AM to 3 PM Permission Form you received via Flocknotes. Thank you! Weekdays: Nov 30-Dec 4 10 AM to 5 PM Dec 7-Dec 11 10 AM to 5 PM A Note from the 2nd Grade Class The students in the Second Grade have been learning about Father is also looking for people who would like to provide Zaccheus, the tax collector in the bible who climbed a tree in some homemade cookies for attendees to nibble on while order to see Jesus. When Jesus found him there he called out they view the collection. Please let Jeannie in the parish of- to Zaccheus to come down from the tree because Jesus want- fice know if you can help. Thank you!! ed to visit his home. After his encounter with Jesus Zaccheus turned away from sin.

After a discussion about what the children are grateful for Tree of Sharing they enjoyed a fun game of Thanksgiving Bingo!! Thank you to all those who picked up a tag from the Tree of Sharing. As you know, the need this year is Youth Group greater than ever before. Thank you for helping The Youth Group enjoyed another great evening inviting Je- us bless our neighbors with a Christmas they sus more deeply into the lives of our youth. This week the would otherwise not experience. Gifts will be group discussed the kerygma (Greek word distributed on Saturday, December 19th. for gospel/proclamation), sharing in the

Please, remember gifts, with the tags attached, need to be Good News and who Jesus is to us. They returned to church by Sunday, December 13th. also looked at the liturgical calendar and talked about culminating Thank you in advance for your amazing generosity!! on with the birth of Christ.

The group took on a 7-day Gratitude Challenge: for the next 7 days the kids will share posts about gratitude using their Annual Catholic Appeal-Thank You!! social media accounts. Thank you for the generosity of the people of St Joseph Par- ish. We have surpassed our ACA goal. If you have not al- For more information contact Leslie Burks at (931) 801-6154 ready made a pledge to the Annual Catholic Appeal, it’s not or via email at [email protected]. too late!! Holiday Mass Schedule Parish Goal $56,482 Pledged to Date $59,025 •Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception will be Percentage of Goal 104.5% on Tuesday, December 8th at 8:30 AM here at St Percentage of Families 44.3% Joseph. There will also be an evening Mass at Thank you to those who have already made their pledges to 7:00 PM at St Mary’s in Deer Park. the ACA. We appreciate you! •Christmas Vigil Masses on December 24th will be at 4:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

Basket Raffle Winners •Mass on Christmas Day is at 10:00 AM. Thank you to everyone who supported the Community Out- reach Basket Raffle fundraiser. It was a great NOTE: There will be no Reconciliation Service this year success, raising almost $1,200 in donations. due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Fr Tom will schedule ad- This will allow the Community Outreach ditional times to hear confessions before Christmas. group to continue their efforts toward helping others in 2021. Your support is greatly appre- Mass Intentions ciated. Sat, Nov 28- St Joseph Parishioners Congratulations to the winners: Sun, Nov 29 - Shane O’Neill+ Tue, Dec 1 - John Nourse+ Silver Mountain Romantic Winter Getaway - Sue Kerschen Wed, Dec 2 - Ann Kramp (bday) Wine & Chocolate Dessert Pairing - Chuck Brodigan Fri, Dec 4 - Davida Condron (bday) Ghirardelli Christmas Baking Basket - Amy Gibson Sat, Dec 5 - St Joseph Parishioners Family Game Night - Olivia Noddings Sun, Dec 6 - Jerry McCoy+ Holiness BeforeHolinessHoliness SpokaneCatholic.NetWe**ALL Advertise“Love HolinessHolinessHolinessSpokane HolinessAre WEmaking is Your NEW Yourisis possible is isAREis possible!possibleYourCatholic possiblepossible!possibleis possible!possibleNeighbor AdvertisingNeighborhood apossible THE decisionBusiness by by Network: Have moment thebymoment by TellingCHURCH! Gettingthe asmoment Get the themoment!ask, Here Yourself.”moment!youSponsorships tomoment!moment! CatholicGod “Willby byhonest Know,Seen, Yourand by moment! moment! PleasethatGo moment!thisDo Support heard Neighborhood with ControlMtLettingLove out BulletinBeing youthe help Help Support22:39 of Giving yourselfStayingleastortrust& yourpatient Our MakingTeaching me someoneSupport,made2019your Provider! enjoyable Findhebecome Weeklytheway Our calmabout A.C.A.temperhas Bulletinawith aoneholyMore to go someoneFellowhealthySpokanea in do agreattheselfinahead Bulletin! -Calltask moment?Parishtheevenbetter CatholicsomethingfrontProvider! -persondestructive Spokane midstplanJeffforeating howwhenofCatholic- ofGoal**version someoneyou Space Byrd for youwhoTextoftoNeighbors choice. justified nice in362apray.yourCatholics your 362crisis.-driveshabits.BusinessesAvailable! the509of -Call 1556forwho -- life.-myself?” That’sgrocery1556full362 in your forThat’s@you isThat’s That’s SpokaneCatholic.Netlosing- attention. 1556 SpokaneCatholic.Net sufferingdetails:SpokaneCatholic.Net crazy.aspouse. Call: 509 line. HolyaThat’s a it.LetsaHoly- 362Holy Holy 509That’sThat’s 509 Moment! That’sThat’s -post 1556Moment!being- -362 Moment!362Moment! Holy!itHoly!- - Holy!1556 Holy!1556here!Holy!

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